TAMPA, Fla. — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has decided not to reclassify Florida manatees as endangered, despite ongoing high mortality rates caused by starvation, boat strikes and habitat loss.

Conservationists, including Ragan Whitlock, a staff attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, criticized the decision as a “several year setback,” noting that endangered status could boost funding and recovery efforts. 

“This is an event that has been going on for years. It had already been going on for a year when we submitted our petition,” said Whitlock. “There are now four years of mortality data. There are folks on the ground to know the lack of reproduction that’s happening in this species.”

The agency plans to incorporate new data into future reviews, but advocates warn this process could take years—time the manatees may not have. 

Visitors to the TECO Manatee Viewing Centers expressed concern, urging continued efforts to protect the species, which remains beloved yet imperiled.

“You know, they are a passive animal. They don’t have many protections,” said visitor Dave Melcher.

“I think we definitely need to keep watch of those levels,” added visitor Eileen Eidenberg, “Because we don’t want it to get to the point where there’s no returns.”

Whitlock encourages people to donate to organizations that wok to save the sea cows, and to speak up at public hearings. 

“This is a species that is beloved and needs help,” said Whitlock.

Florida manatees were originally listed as an endangered back in 1973. But, they were moved off that list and reclassified as threatened in 2017.